Milking apparatus.



A. P. STEPHENS.

MILKING APPARATUS.

APPLmATloN FILED A1 11.z4. 1911 .y

1,073,538, Patented sept.16,1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

A. F. STEPHENS.

MILKING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED 23.24.1012.

Patented Sept. 16, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ATTORNEYS A. F. STEPHENS.

MILKING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED A1124, 1912.

1,073,538. Patented Sept. 16, 1913.

E, 4 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3. i175@ GBHGGZGH' A. P. STEPHENS.

MILKING APPARATUS.

APPLIUATION FILED APR.z4, 1912.

1,073,538. Patented sept. 16,1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

` f 2 Aar-on FS-sphens ...M- J4 Je J By i A@ ATTORNEYS FNTTED STATT@ PATENT FFTCE.

AAROVN F. STEPHENS, OF CANISTEO, NEW YORK.

MILKING APPARATUS.

T0 all whom i may concern Be it known that I, AARON F. STEPHENS, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Canisteo, in the'county of Steuben and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Milking Apparatus, of which the following is a -full, clear, and exact description.

The invention relates to milzmg apparatus by which the milk is drawn by suction from the teats of the coWs udder.

The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved milking apparatus arranged to permit of milking simultzlneously a large number of cows in sets of four, to allow an attendantto readily control the milking operation for each set of cows, to render the suction action on each cow intermittent, to prevent spilling or Waste ot the milk, and to permit of conveniently assembling and disassembling the parts with a view to keep the same clean and to maintain the apparatus in sanitary condition. For the purpose mentioned use is made of a main suction pipe connected With a large vacuum chamber and provided With a valve controlling a suction chamber adapted to receive the milk from the teats and to discharge the milk into a pail or other milk receiving receptacle, the valve being so arranged that an intermittent suction produced in the chamber which alternates With the admission of air to the chamber and opening the suction chamber to discharge the milk into the milk receivingl receptacle.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this spccitication, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure l is a perspective View ofthe milking apparatus as applied; Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of one 'of the teat cups connected with one of `the suction cups, the section being on the line 2 2 o Fig. 3; Fig. 3 is a plan View of the teat cup; Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view of the teat cup on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a plan view of the suction cup; Fig. G is an enlarged sectional side elevation of the controlling valve for the vacuum chambers and connected with the main suction pipe; Fig. 7 is a cross section of the same on the line 7--7 of Fig. (3; Fig. 8 is a plan view of part of the line Wire andthe Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 24, 1912.

Patented Sept. 16, 1913.

Serial No. 692,774.

stein of the valve shown in Fig. 6; Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of the locking sleeve in open position on the link connecting the swing bottom of the suction chamber with the actuating piston; Fig. 10 is an elevation of the suction chamber; Fig. 1l is a plan view of the same, the suction pipe being shown in section; Fig. 12 is a plan view of the actuating mechanism for the valves; and Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the same.

The milking apparatus is driven from a main shaft A connected with an engine or other suitable means for imparting a rotary motion to the said shaft A, which latlcr is connected by an eccentric B with an air pump C, of any approved construction, and connected at its suction end by a pipe l) with a large suction chamber E, from which the air is exhausted by the pump C. The chamber E is connected with a main suction pipe F extending along the several stalls in a stable, as plainly indicated in Fig. l, and the said main suction pipe F is provided at intervals with branch pipes F cach connected with a valve G for controlling the suction pipes Yl'or four cows at a time. The valve G (see Figs. 6 7 and 8) is provided with u valve casing G having a central port (L connected with a branch pipe F and side ports I), L adapted to connect with the atmosphere, the said ports u, and heilig controlled by a slide valve G2 provided with lugs G" between which extends a collar H secured to a stem ll mouried to slide in bearings G4 forming mrt ol. the valve body G. The valve stem ll provided at one end with an angular oll'set ll'2 adapted to engage a notch I in a block l, preferably made in sections, and fastened by bolts I2 to reds or stiff wires I8 extending along the stalls, as indicated in Fig. 1, one end of the rods l being con nccled to one end of a cross arnl l secured on the lower cnd of a vcrtically-disposed shaft I" journaled in suitable bearings arranged in the stable, as indicated in Fig. 1. The other end of the arm I is connected by a link J with a slide J mounted to slide on a frame J2 attached to a suitable support J, and on the slide J are journaled spaced friction rollers J4 in engagement with the peripheral face of a cam J secured on a shaft J com'lected by pulleys J7, J8 and a belt J with the shaft A so that a continuous rotary motion is transmitted from the shaft A to the shaft 3 and the cam J5. The rotary motion of the cam J 5,imparts an'intermittent sliding movement to the slideJ to rock the cross bar I4 and shaft I5 thus im parting a reciprocating movement to the rods I3 which by the block I imparts a recilprocating motion to the stem H and t e slide valve G3 to alternately connect the ports b, b with the port a and with. the atmosphere. Thus as shown in Fig. 6 the slide valve G3 is in its extreme position to the right so that the port b is opened to the atmosphere' while the port b is-incommunication with the port ya. to produce a suction in the 'port b. When the valve G3 is shifted to the left then the port b is opened to the atmosphere while the port ,'b is connected with the port a and the suction pipe Fjto produce asuction in the said port b. The ports b and b are connected with manually-controlled valves K and K connected by flexible pipes K3, K3 with cylinders L, L attached to the tops of the vacuum chambers N and N adapted to be suspended in milk cans1v or other milk .receiving receptacles 0, 0 for regeiving milk.

Into each of the suction chambers N, N extends a delivery pipe P connected by a hose P with a pipe fixture P3 having two branch pipes P3, 4 each ,provided with a valve Pandconnected by a flexible pipe P6 with a nipple Q of 'apsuctioncup Q (see Figs. l, 2 andl) provided with four suction nipples QF, eachv .of which is connected by a flexible ipe Q3 with the lower end of a teat cup R see Figs. l, 2, 3 and 4) adapted to engage one of the teats of the cow s udder. When a vacuum is produced in a suction chamber N or N the milk accumulates therein until the vacuum in this chamber is broken to allow the milk to discharge from the chamber into the corresponding milk receiving receptacle O or 0',

as hereinafter more fully explained. A

It is understood that as each receptacle N or N connects with two cows, it is evident that the milking of four cows is controlled from one valve Gg, but the milking ,of any one cow can bef cut out by closing the corresponding valve P3 or P on the branch pipes P3 or l5"4 of the pipe fixture P3. Each of the suction chambers N and N is open at the lower end N3, and this end is preferably beveled and is adapted to be closed by a swing bottom S provided with a facing S, of rubber or other suitable material, for hermetically closing the lower end N2 of the chamber N or N at the time the swing bottom/S is in a closed position, as shown in Fig. 6. The swing bottoni S is provided 'o n its outer face with a bracket S2, on which is pivoteda U-shaped link S3 having trunnions S3 engaging bearings S5 fixed onoutside of the corresponding suction chanib N or N (see Figs. 6 and 10). Lug's or hooks S3 are attached to the swing bottom S at the upper end thereof 'and loosely engage lthe side arms of the` U-shaped link S3, so that the swing bottom S isfree to swing on the bearings S5 into open and closed position and has a limiting swinging motion on the link S3 to insure accurate seating 'of the swing bottom, as plainly indicated to the right in Fig. 6. The bracket S3 is fastened to the swing bottom by a bolt T extending to the inner` face of the facing S and terminating in a loop T engaging ra notch T? formed in the lower end of a pitman T3 extending upwardly within the correspondingvsuction chamber N or N and connecting at its upper end with a piston rod L2 of a piston L3 mounted to reciprocate in the corresponding cylinder L or L. The cylinder *L or L 'is provided with ports L* adapted to register with ports L5 formed in the piston L3, e

the upper portion of which is hollow, so that when the piston L3 is in uppermost position, as shown to the Iright in Fig. 6, then the ports L4L and L5 are in register with each other and at the.tin1e when the swing bottom S is in. closed position, so that the air "is drawn out of the chamber N or N. When the piston L3 is in lowermost position, as shown to the left in Fig. 6, then thev ports L3, L5 are out of register and the swing bottom S is in open position to permit the milk to pass from the suction chamber N or N into the milk receiving receptacle 0 or O. A. sleeve T4 is mounted to slide' onthe lower end of the pitman T3 to cover the notchT2 so as to prevent accidental disengagement of the pit'man from the loop T and to permit of disconnecting the pitman T3fromv the said loop T. atthe time the sleeve T3 is moved upward by the operator (see Fig. 9) tov allow `of readily disassembling the parts for cleaning or other purposes.

The upper end of the suction chamber N or N is normally closed by a `removable cover U, provided with a rubber facing U for hermetically closing the said upper end of the chamber N or N. The cover U'is. provided at opposite sidcswith lugs U2 (see Fig. 10) engaged by cam levers U3 mounted to swing on llinks U4 fulcrumed on brackets U5 attached to the sides of the suction chamber N or N. By the'use of the cam levers U3 the cover U can be moved firmly in position on the top of the suction chamber N vor N to hermetically seal this upper end, and by the use of the cam levers U3 the cover U can be unlocked and removed from the suction chamber Nor N for cleaning or other purposes. Thecover U is provided at its under side with lugs UG fitting against the inner face of the corresponding suction chamber to hold thc cover against lateral movement.

The suction cup Q is provided with a removable bottom Qt and a packing" rin Q5 for hermeticall closingthe under si e of the said cup. he bottom Q* is held in place on the cup bg locking catches Q Pivoted on the bottom 4 and made U-shape in cross section to straddle the outer edge of the bottom and a flange Q7 exteriorly on the lower end of the cup Q. By the arrangement described the cup can be readily opened for cleaning purposes.

Each of the teat cups R is arranged as follows, special reference being. had to Figs. 2,3and 4': Within an inverted conical shell R is placed a similar but smaller conical tube R2 provided at its upper end with an outwardly-extending ange R3 seated 0n a seat R4 formed on the upper end of the shell R. l`he shell R is further provided at its upper, end with an outwardly-extending flange R5, over which extends a closing' ring` V provided with a rubber diaphragm V having a central opening V2 for the passage ot the teat W, as plainly indicated in Fig. 2, the diaphragm V being in Contact at its edge with the seat R5 and being stretched over the flange R3 so as to form a hermetical closure for the upper end of the shell R', and the tube R2, at the time the diaphragm engages the teat W. The closing ring V is pivotally connected at its sides by links V with a lever V* fulcrumed at V5 on the outer side of the shell R so that the closing ring V and its diaphragm V can be firmly drawn downward on swinging the lever V1 into lowermost position, `as indicated in Fig. 2. On swinging the lever V* upwardly the ring V and the diaphragm V are raised and lifted off the shell R' and the tube R2 to allow of Swingin the closing ring V and its diaphragm to one side for the removal ot the tube R2 from the shell R to allow convenient cleaning of the several parte. The lower rounded-oil' end lit of the tube R2 tits snugly into the lower end of the shell R so that when the several parts are .assembled and the teat 'VV is engag/ed with the opening V 2 then a suction produced 'in the cup Q produces a suction in the tube Re the teat W to draw the milk from the ridder. The lever V* is preferably provided in its upper portion with corruga tions V to render this upper part yielding in the direction of its length to insure a iirin seating ont the ring V and its diaphragm V on the shell R and the tube Rt.

The operation is vas Jfollows: When the sei/'eral parts are connected up 'as shown in 1, and the shaft A is running, then a suction is produced in the main suction site il" and the slide valve G is caused to reciprocate so as to alternately connect euch suction chamber N or-N with the branch pipe il" and the atmosphere. the slide valve (l2 is in the position in the suction chamber N `is om `produced in the pipe the bottom while the suction chamber N is closed, and milk is'drawn into the said suction ichamber by way of the pipeP; tube P and connections, to the suction cups Q 4and teat cuns R of one pair of cows (not shown), an when the valve Gr2 is shifted to the left and the port b. is uncovered and opens to the atmosphere then air can pass through the ort b into the valve K and by way of tie tube K3 into the cylinder L' and from the latter by way of the registering ports L, L* into the suction chamber N to break the vacuum therein, so that the piston L3 slides downward to permit the swing bottom S t0 swing into an open position and thus allow the milk to pass from the suction chamber N int/o the milk receiving vessel O'. When the Ivalve G2 reaches its left-hand position then the port is connected with the port a and a suction action is now produced by Way of the valve K and tube K2 vin the cylinder L whereby the piston Ls is drawn upward in the cylinder L, and in doing so the piston imparts an upward swinging motion tothe swing bottom S to close the lower end N2 of the suction chamber N. When this takes place the ports L have moved 'in register with the ports L4 so that air is withdrawn from the now closed suction chamber N and consctgxently a suction is tube P and the connections leading to the suction cups Q, and the cups R to draw the milk from a pair of cows, of which one is shown in Fig. 1. The drawn mill; asses into the suction chamber N and wien the valve G2 next moves to the right-hand position the vacuum is broken in this chamber N and the swing bottom S swings open to allow the milk to pass from the chamber N to the mill: receiving receptacle O. When this takes place the other suction chamber N is closed to draw in another portion of milk from the other pair of cows, and the abovedescribed, operation is then repeated, that is, the milk from the two pairs of cows is alternately' drawn into the suction chambers N and N and discharged from the sa me into the milk receiving receptacles 0 and O until the cows are millced dry. When the two pairs ot' cows are I'nillred dry the operator takes hold of the angular arm H2 ot the valve stem ll and swings the sume upward out of engagement with the notch T so that the valve Gr is thrown out of action and the operator then closes the valves lll and K to shut oli' tho suction action trom the suction chamber N and N. lt understood that when it is desired lo milla but a single con' oi' pair it is only necessary to clossthe corresponding' valve lJ5 or l so as to cut out the corre- "up Q, and tout cupa R. rit the valves G- in other stalls of the stable, the upper end of the shaft I is provided with a cross arm X -Across arms I4 and X4 but located at the other end of the stalls .so as to insure a proper forward and backward movement ofJ the rods I3 and the blocks I employed for operating the valves G.

` By arranging the parts inthe manner described they can be readily assembled and disassembled for cleaning or other purposes to maint-ain Vthe milking apparatus at all times in a sanitary condition. Y

By the intermittent suction action the milk is more'readily drawn from the udder, as the milk has time to ass to the teats and into the teat cups, andp it is believed that this action is less strenuous on the cow.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A milking apparatus, comprlsing a suction chamber having a ,mov-able 'closure for opening and closing the chamber, a connection adapted to connect with the teats and discharging into the said suction chamber, a vacuum chamber, a main suction pipe connected with said vacuum chamber,

a controlling valve, a pipeyconnection controlled by said valve for connecting the suction chamber alternately with the main suction pipe and with the atmosphere to produce a suction in the said suction chamber for drawing in the milk and admitting air to thel said suction chamber and thereby opening the said closure to discharge the milk from the chamber, and means in the said pipe connection and connected with the said movable closure, the said means bein controlled by the exhaust of the air from t ie suction chamber t0 move the said closure into closed position.

2. A milking apparatus, comprising a suction chamber adapted to be connected with the teats for drawingthe milk into the suction chamber, the latter having la hinged bottom adapted t0 open for discharging the milk into a milk receiving receptacle, suction means, and a reciprocating valve controlling the suction means for alternately producing a suction-in the said chamber and teats and admitting air to the chamber to break the vacuum and to open the closure.

3. A milking apparatus, comprising -a main suction pipe, a suction chamber having a movableoutlet, a connection adapted to inmates engage the teats of a cows udder and discharging into the said suction chamber, a. pipe connection connected with the suction chamber, a valve for connecting the said pipe connection alternately with the main suction pipe and the atmosphere, and means -movable in the said pipe connection and controlled by the admission and exhaust of the air, the said means being connected with the said movable outlet for operating the same.

4. A milking apparatus, comprising a main suction pipe, a valve casing having ports of which one is adapted to lead to the atmosphere and the other connects with the said main suction pipe, a slide valve for alternately connecting the first mentioned port vviththe atmosphere and with the second mentioned port, means for reciprocating the said slide valve, a suction chamber having a swing bottom for discharging the milk from the said chamber, a connection adapted `to connect with the teats and discharging into the said suction chamber, a cylinder having a port opening into the said suction chamber, a piston in the said cylinder controlling the said port, a pipe connecting the said cylinder with the said first mentioned port of the valve casing, and a Pitman connecting the said piston with the said bottom.

5. A milking apparatus, ycomprising a mainsuction pipe, a valve casing connected with the said main suction pipe and having a port,` a controlling valve for connecting said port with the atmosphere and with the suction, a suction chamber adapted to be suspended in a milk receiving receptacle and connected with the said valve casing at said port, the said suction chamber having a pressure-controlled outlet mounted to swing into open and closed position and adapted to open at the' time the said port is open to the atmosphere and to close at the time the said portI is connected with the suction pipe to place the suction chamberf in communication With the suction, a suction cup connected with the said vacuum chamber, and means connecting the said'suction cup with the teats of the cows udder.

6. A milkingv apparatus, comprising a main suction pipe, a valve casing connected with the said pipe and having a port, a controlling valve. for connecting the said port alternately with the suction pipe and with the atmosphere, a suction chamber having a swing bottom tor discharging the milk into a milk receiving receptacle, a connection between the said suction chamber and the teats of a cows udder, a pressurecontrolled actuating device connected with the said valve casing at said port and with the said suction chamber and connected with the said swing bottom 'to open the latter When the said port is open to the atmosphere and to close the said swing bottom and place the suction chamber in communication with the suction at the time the said port Vconnects the main suction pipe with the said pressure device.

7. A milking apparat-us, comprising a suction chamber adapted to be suspended in a milk receiving receptacle, the said chamber having a swinging bottom for discharging the milk from the suction chamber into the said receptacle, means adapted to engage the teats ofv a cows udder and connected with the said suction chamber, a cylinder, having a port opening into the said suction chamber, a piston in the said cylinder controllingr the said port andA connected with the said hinged bottom to open and close the latter, a main suction pipe, a valve casing connected with the said suction pipe and with the said cylinder, and a valveffor alternately connecting the said cylinder with the said main suction pipe and the atmosphere.

8. A milking apparatus, comprising a main suction pipe, a valve casing having ports off-.which one connects with the suction pipe and the other is adapted to lead to the atmosphere, a slide valve for controlling said ports, having a stem provided with an angular member and adapted to be turned, a reciprocating member havinga slot adapted to be engaged by the said angular member of the said valve stem, a suction chamber `provided with a swing bottom, a pipe connection'connecting the said suction chamber with the said valve casing at the port adapted to lead to the atmosphere, the saidslide valve when actuated connecting the said suction chamber alter-I nately with the said main suction pipe and the atmosphere, the said pipe connection having a cylinder provided with a port, a piston in the said cylinder and havingfa port adapted to register with the said cylinder port, aconnection between the said piston and the said swing bottom, teat cups, a suction cup connected with the said teat cups, and a 'pipe connection connecting thel sald suction cup with the said suctlon chamber.

9. A milking apparatus, comprising a main shaft, an air pump driven from the said shaft, a vacuum tank connected with the said air pump to exhaust the air therefrom, a main suction pipe connected with the said tank, an actuating device driven from the said shaft, a valve casing havin ports, the said valve casing being connecte with the suction pipe at one of said ports, a. suction chamber connected with the said valve casing at the other port, a slide valve actuated from the said actuating device and controlling the said ports of the valve cas! ing to alternately exhaust air from and admit air to the said suction chamber, a

connection between the said suction chamber and the teats for drawing the milk into the suction chamber during the suction period, a swing bottom for the suctioncchamber and means controlled by the admission and exhaust of the air and connected with the swing bottom to close the same, and to permit the same to open to discharge milk from the suction chamber.

10. A milking apparatus, comprising a main shaft, an air pump driven from the said shaft, a vacuum tank connectedl with the said air pump to exhaust the air therefrom, a main suction pipe connected with the said tank, an actuating device driven from the said shaft, a valve casing having a port adapted to lead to the atmosphere, and a port connected with-the suction pipe, a suction chamber connected with the said valve casing at the first mentioned port, a slide valve actuated from the said actuating device-and controlling said ports to alternately exhaust air from and admit air to the Said suction chamber, a connection between the said suction chamber and the teats for drawing the milk into the suction chamber during the suction period, a cylinder in the connection between the valve casing and suction chamber, a swing bottom on the said suction chamber, and a piston in the said cyl'inder and connected with the said swing bottom.

11. A milking apparatus, comprising a main suction pipe, a valve casing having a central port connected with the suction pipe, and two ports on opposite sides of the central port and adapted to lead to the atmosphere, a slide palve for alternately c011- necting each of said side ports with the atmosphere'and with the said central port, pipe connections connected with the said valve casing at the said ports leading to the atmosphere, a suction chamber connected with each of the pipe connections and each having a movable outlet, pneumatically controlled means in each of the said pipe connections, and connected with the movable outlets to open and close the same, a milk pipe connected with each suction chamber and having branch pipes, a suction cup,c0n nected with each branch pipe, and a plurality of teat cu s connected with the suction cup and a apted to connect with the teats.

12. A 'milking apparatus, comprising a main suction pipe, a valve casing having a central port connected with the suction pipe and two ports on opposite sides of the cen- .tral port and adapted to lead to the atmoshere, a slide valve for alternately connecting each of said side ports with the atmosphere and with the said central port, pipe connections connected with the said valve casing at the said ports4 leading to the atmosphere, a suction chamber connected with each of the pipe connections and each having a movable outlet, pneumatically controlled means in each of the said pipe conpipes, a suction cup connected with each branch pipe, a plurality Aof teat cups connected with the suction cup Aand adapted to connect/with the teats, and manually-controlled vafvs in the said branch pipes.

13. A milking apparatus, comprising a main suction pipe, a valve casing having a4 central port connected with the suction pipe and two ports on opposite sides of the central port and adapted to lead to the atmosphere, a slide valve for alternately connecting'eaoh of said side ports with the atmosphere and with the said central port, pipe connections connected with the said valve casing at the said ports leading to the atmosphere, a suction chamber connected with each of the pipe sections and provided with a swing bottom, pneumatically controlled means in the said pipe connections and connected with the saidjswing bottom to alternately open and close the same and to control the flow of air through the said pipe connections, a milk pipe connected with each suction chamber and having branch pipes, a suction cup connected with each branch pipe, and a plurality of teat cups connected with the suction cup and adapted to connect with the teats. y

14. A milking apparatus, comprising a suction chamberhaving a swing bottom, a main suction pipe, a valve casing having a central port connected with the said main suction pipe, and an exhaust port, a slide valve :for alternately connecting the exhaust port with the atmosphere and with the said central port, reciprocating means for actuating the said slide valve, a pipe connected with the valve casing at the exhaust port, a cylinder connected with the said pipe and having a port, a suction chamber into which extends the said cylinder and its port, a swing bottom on the said suction chamber, a piston in the said cylinder and having a port adapted to register with the cylinder port, a link connecting the said piston with the swing bottom, and al milk connection connected with the said suction chamber and adapted to engage the teats. l

15. A milking apparatus, comprising a suction chamber open at the lower end, the latter being beveled, a bottomv adapted to be seated on the said lower end,` a link connecting the said bottom with the suction chamber, apneumatic cylinder on the ,said suctionchamber and provided with a piston, and a pitman connecting the said piston with the said bottom.

16. A milking apparatus, comprising a suction chamber open at the lower end, the

Lacasse latter being beveled, a bottom adapted to be seated on the said lower end, a link connecting the said bottom with the suction chamber, lugs on the bottom and adapted to engage the said link to limit the swinging motion of the bottom on the said link, a

pneumatic cylinder on the said suction chamber and provided with a piston, and a pitman connecting the said piston with the said bottom.

17. A milking apparatus comprising a suction cup of inverted cup-shape and having a flange on the lower end and a connecting nipple, a series of pipes connected with the suction cup, a bottom for closing the said suction cup, and locking catches pivoted on the bottom and adapted to engage the outer edge of the bottom and said flange on the lower end of the cup to lock the bottom to the cup.

18. A teat cup, comprising an outer coni-- cal shell, an inner conical tube, seated at its base on the base of the said shell, a locking ring, and a rubber diaphragm eX- tendingover the base ends of the said shell and tube and locked in place by the said ring, the said diaphragm having an opening for en agement with a teat.

19. teat cup, comprising an outer conical shell, an inner conical tube seated at its base on the base of the said shell, a locking ring, a rubber diaphragm extending over the base ends of the said shell and tube and locked in place by the said ring, the said diaphragm having an. opening for engagement with a teat and a locking lever fulcrumed onthe said shell and connect-ed with the said locking ring.

20. A milking apparatus comprising a suction chamber having a swing bottom, means for connectin the suction chamber with the teats, a mam suction pipe, means for connecting the said suction chamber alternately with the main suction pipe and the atmosphere, and pneumatically controlled means connected with the swing bottom to open and close the same.

21. A milking apparatus, comprising a suction chamber having a movable outlet, means for connecting the suction chamber with the teats, a main suction pipe, a pipe connection connected with the suction chamber, means for connecting the said pipe connection alternately with the main suction pipe and with the atmosphere, and pneumatically controlled means in the said pipe connection and "connected with the movable outlet to open and close the same.

22. 'A milking apparatus comprising a suction chamber having a movable outlet, means for connecting the suction chamber with the teats, a main suction pipe, means for connecting the said suction chamber alternately with the main suction pipeand the atmosphere, and means controllable by the exhaust of the air from the suction chamber and connected With the movable closure to close the same.

23. A milking apparatus comprising a suction chamber, having a movable outlet, means for connecting the suction chamber with the teats, a main suction pipe, a pipe connection connected with the suction Chamber, means for connecting the said pipe oonnection alternately with the main suction pipe and with the atmosphere, means in the said pipe connection and connected with the said movable outlet, the said means being controlled by the exhaust of the air from' the suction chamber to move the said 15 outlet into closed position.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence ol two subscribing witnesses.

AARON F. STEPHENS.

Witnesses E. C. BARKER, STEPHEN HUnnnTUs. 

